Gov’t Reaches Closer to Final Settlement with Noor: ARG

Atta Mohammad Noor and representatives of the Presidential Palace (ARG) have reached very close to a final settlement, a spokesman for Ghani’s office said Wednesday.

According to Ghani’s office, the result of the negotiations between Noor, the ousted Balkh governor, and the Head of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) Masoom Stanekzai and Abdul Salam Rahimi, the head of the office of the president, will be publicized in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Afzal Hadid, the Head of Balkh Provincial Council said the two sides have exchanged proposals with each other.

“Still, no details have been released regarding the agreements made in the meeting. It said that packages from the government and proposals from the governor of Balkh were exchanged,” said Hadid.

He added that Mr. Noor has not shown up to his office since the last four days and has limited his public gatherings.

But, reports suggest that the signature of Mr. Noor is still valid in all government offices in the province.

Afghan politicians also emphasize on a peaceful resettlement of the issue between the central government and Mr. Noor.

“Afghanistan is having a lot of challenges and tensions between political leaders is not in favor of the country,” Nazir Ahmad Ahmadzai, Second Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament, said.

“The political parties and the people of Afghanistan are seriously urging the government to work for the priorities which are elections, security and the livelihood of the people,” Sediq Patman, a senior member of the political party, Jabhi Milli Naween Afghanistan, said.

On December 18, the Presidential Palace said in a statement that the president approved Noor’s resignation and appointed Engineer Mohammad Dawoud as the new governor of Balkh.

Noor defied his ouster and vowed that he won’t allow anyone to oust him from the post, except through negotiation.